1
as in defective
having a fault
that engine noise indicates that something is clearly amiss
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wrong
not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation
official recognition would not be amiss after that spectacular effort
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in incorrectly
in a mistaken or inappropriate way
I hope that my suggestion that you might be more comfortable in a larger chair was not taken amiss
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in awry
off the desired or intended path or course
the reenactment of the Wright Brothers' first flight went amiss when the wind died on the makeshift runway and the plane stopped short in a mud puddle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of amiss
Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 19 Oct. 2025
Mukhtaro’s family realized something was amiss while watching the local news.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Leah Asmelash, CNN, 21 Aug. 2019
This connectivity can provide a sense of brain organization, and there's a growing body of evidence that this organization goes amiss in those with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders.
—Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, 12 Apr. 2018
See All Example Sentences for amiss
Adjective
But something is deeply amiss in the modern conservative movement.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 19 Oct. 2025
Mukhtaro’s family realized something was amiss while watching the local news.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Adverb
The whole incident -- from realizing something was going amiss to hitting the water -- only lasted one or two minutes.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN, 21 Aug. 2019
This connectivity can provide a sense of brain organization, and there's a growing body of evidence that this organization goes amiss in those with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders.
—Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, 12 Apr. 2018
See All Example Sentences for amiss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amiss
Adjective
-
Progesterone promotes cell death among defective cells that could turn cancerous.—
Jocelyn Solis-Moreira,
Flow Space,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The family contends that the hotel knew, or should have known, that the property’s water heating system was dangerous and defective, accusing management of failing to inspect and maintain the temperatures.—
Julia Marnin,
Sacbee.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
As analysis, that’s not wrong, but where’s the sting of it inside this bizarre bonbon of a musical?—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Despite his brilliance and intellect, he was prevented from having a full life by being born on the wrong side of Israel’s separation fence.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
Employees incorrectly used latex gloves for food preparation.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The recall was initiated because products containing wheat were incorrectly placed into packaging that doesn't list the presence of wheat, according to the FDA.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Iran is facing its worst drought in decades, raising fears of evacuations in Tehran while threatening the regime’s stability and nuclear ambitions, according to a leading environmental expert.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Keeping bad things out of my body.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Using incorrect or false case references in legal documents has real implications for defendants, because judges rely on these references to help form their rulings, Kjoller’s lawyers wrote.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Appeals can be made based on factors including incorrect data, adverse testing conditions, and school or community emergencies, according to the State Board of Education.—
Erick Trevino,
AZCentral.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
Many adults mistakenly assume that Medicare will pay for long-term care services when, in fact, Medicaid is the primary funding source.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Trump has also mistakenly claimed that China and Russia are currently testing nuclear weapons and directed the incorrect agency — the Department of War — to resume testing rather than the Department of Energy, which oversees the nation’s nuclear warheads, Sanders-Zakre said.—
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Baltimore will badly need to add talented young players on affordable contracts to balance the team’s top-heavy salary structure.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The stock was very narrowly up for the year, badly trailing the broader market and Amazon's megacap peers.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
University of Colorado Boulder (UC Boulder) researchers have closed the gap between math and biology, moving from a neat physics simulation of their animal-pattern theory to something that explains how those crisp yet imperfect designs actually arise in nature.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
3 Nov. 2025
-
To say the least, the film is an emotionally resonant and complex showcase that unabashedly shows Agnes’ imperfect journey through the other side of trauma.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Amiss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amiss. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share